Hong Kong crime drops 5.9pc in 2025; fraud remains top concern despite decline

Hong Kong recorded nearly 50 percent fewer arrests for criminal offenses last year, while overall crime fell 5.9 percent to 89,137 cases, marking the first drop since 2019, though fraud continued to dominate with over 43,000 incidents.

Hong Kong’s overall crime fell 5.9 percent in 2025 to 89,137 cases, down 5,610 from the previous year, reversing a rising trend since 2019 and reflecting stable law and order, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming told the Legislative Council Panel on Security.

Most major crime categories declined significantly. Robbery cases dropped 26.7 percent to a record low of 66 since records began in 1969, with a 90.9 percent detection rate. Burglary fell 33.1 percent to 816 cases, also a historic low. Violent crimes decreased 15.9 percent to 8,823 cases.

Fraud remained the largest category at 43,212 cases, down 2.9 percent, with total losses falling 11.3 percent from HK$9.15 billion to HK$8.12 billion.

Rising fraud types included online shopping, investment, and job scams, while telephone, social media, and phishing scams declined.

Arrests for criminal offenses dropped sharply by 14.3 percent to 31,082 people, mainly due to fewer arrests for fraud, shop theft, wounding, and serious assault.

Under the National Security Law and Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, the National Security Department arrested 6,385 people by the end of 2025, with more than half prosecuted.

The commissioner highlighted the Jimmy Lai sentencing as evidence that colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security is treated as a grave offence, and police will take firm, uncompromising action against anyone threatening national security.

Responding to suggestions that the Lai case involved political prosecution, the commissioner rejected the claim as unfair and based on double standards, noting that many jurisdictions worldwide have national security laws.

He stressed that law enforcement applies equally regardless of a person’s identity, status, or occupation.

On fraud, which still averaged one case every 12 minutes, the commissioner acknowledged rises in certain types, including stock-related scams promoted through social media groups claiming insider US stock tips.

Police are discussing with platforms ways to use technology to block such groups.

For recovering defrauded funds, ten local banks now have staff working at police headquarters to speed up interception, though legal processes still take time, and further improvements are under consideration.